Past verb forms with present future meaning
The concept of past tense verbs being used to describe the past is all too common.
When are verbs referring to the past used for the present and future?
If you took more classes and practised every day, your English would improve quickly. (after ‘if’ to explain what could happen)
Supposing they changed the way they thought, the whole approach would be different. (after ‘supposing’ considering possibility)
He wishes that they didn’t have such a big mortgage. (after ‘wishes’ speculating about alternatives)
It is time I chose a new place to live. (after ‘time’ referring to something that needs to be done)
Future in the past
This is used to express an idea in the past that would happen in the future
I always thought that they were going to win the championship. (prediction)
I knew that they would come good. (belief)
Again and again they promised that they would reform the voting system. (promise)
future perfect
This indicates an action that will have been completed (or perfected) in the future
talking about the past from a future perspective
[subject + will have + past participle]
I will have perfected my Portuguese after living in São Paulo with my in-laws.
They will not have finished the building work by the time we get back.
[subject + going to have + past participle]
We are going to have finished our project before we leave.
All that is going to have been changed before the next stage is commenced.
______
What about you?
Using the past form, what advice do you have for me?
Maybe you could begin by saying…. ‘if you changed…’
Using the future form, what do you predict is going happen in the future?
Maybe you could begin by saying….‘when the situation has changed….’
_____
www.britishenglishlessons.com for online classes by a CELTA qualified British English teacher.
legal English, general English, business English and IELTS
